Category: QUOTES on CHARITY

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, The GREAT TRUTHS

Thought for the Day – 26 February – The Employments of Heaven

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Thought for the Day – 26 February – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations on “The Great Truths”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

26th Day – The Employments of Heaven

His servants shall serve Him.
(Apoc xxii:3)

+1. While faith and hope will be at an end in Heaven, the virtue of charity will remain.
There is nothing on earth as sweet as love nothing which fills the heart with such continual joy; nothing which so occupies the soul and causes men to forget all else.
This is the case when the object of our love is a perishable, imperfect creature like ourselves.
How much more when the object of our love is the God of Infinite Beauty containing in Himself, every possible earthly perfection, not only multiplied to an infinite degree but altogether superior in kind and, therefore, a source of greater joy, than all possible created beauty!

+2. A strong love makes the long hours pass away in a stream of unceasing delight; no weariness, no monotony, no desire for anything else.
One thing only limits the perfection of the happiness of love and that is the thought that it cannot last forever.
In Heaven, there will be a stream of delight immeasurably richer and, the joyful consciousness that, there is no fear of its ever coming to an end.

+3. As God is Infinite in His perfections, they will necessarily be inexhaustible. The various phases (if we may use the term) of His Divine Loveliness will never come to an end. After a million years, there will still be the same inexhaustible treasure of multiform delights to be enjoyed and, after a million years, it will not be diminished.
No fear then, of sameness in Heaven, no fear of monotony, it will ever be the same and yet, ever new!
Pray for a greater love of God here on earth.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The HEART, The LAST THINGS, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 24 February – My yoke is easy and My burden light.

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One Minute Reflection – 24 February – Feast of St Matthias, Apostle of Christ – Acts 1:15-26; – Matthew 11:25-30 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I Am meek and humble of heart … For My yoke is easy and My burden light.” – Matthew 11:29-30

REFLECTION – “The Third Coming of Christ our Bridegroom which is still in the future, is that which will occur at the Judgement or, at the hour of death …

The justice of the Judge lies, in the fact that, it is Christ to Whom the Judgement and the Verdict belong, for He is the Son of Man and the Wisdom of the Father, a Wisdom to Whom all Judgement belongs. To this Wisdom, all hearts are open and manifest, whether they are in Heaven, on earth or in hell … The means with which Christ, our Bridegroom and Judge, makes use, at this Judgement, consist in rewarding and punishing with justice, for He gives to all, according to their merits. On the good and for each good deed carried out in God, He bestows the measureless reward of Himself, unmerited by any creature. For indeed, since it is He Who collaborates in each of the creature’s works, it is all thanks to His Power that the creature merits Christ Himself as reward in all justice! …

The First Coming, namely, when God became a human being, lived humbly and died out of love for us, is one which we should imitate exteriorly through the perfect practice of the virtues and, interiorly, through, charity and genuine humility. The Second Coming which is in the present and which takes place when Christ comes, with His graces into every loving heart, is one which we should desire and pray for everyday, so that we might persevere and progress in new virtues. The Third Coming, at the Judgement or at the hour of our death, is one which we should await with longing, confidence and awe, so that we might be released from this present misery and enter the Palace of Glory!” – Blessed Jan van Ruysbroeck (1293-1381) Canon Regular (The Spiritual Espousals 1).

PRAYER – O God, Who added blessed Matthias to the company of Thy Apostles, grant, we beseech Thee, that by his intercession we may ever be aware of the depth of Thy love for us. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 20 February – Go also …

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Quote/s of the Day – 20 February – Ferial Day – Septuagesima – 1 Corinthians 9,24-27.10; 1-5 – Matthew 20,1-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Go you also into My Vineyard.”

Matthew 20:7

“Day by day follow God’s path,
keeping Him closely attached to you by His promise.
In fact, He Himself said, through the mediation of His Apostles,
to all those who seek His will and His testimonies
that He would be with them
until the end of the world (Mt 28:20)
where paths and footsteps
will be unknown (cf Ps 76:20),
as the divine David said in his songs.
Yet, in an invisible way,
He is present to the eyes of the mind,
making Himself seen by those
who have a pure heart
and conversing with them.
So pursue your path …. ”

St Theodore the Studite (759-826)
Abbot, Confessor, Father of the Church

“But what shall we offer, brothers,
what shall we give Him
for all the benefits He has given us?
He offered the most precious Victim
He possessed for our sake;
in truth, He could not have had
anything more precious.
So let us, too,
do what we can,
let us offer Him the best we have,
that is to say, ourselves!
He offered Himself,
so who are you,
to hesitate to offer yourself?”

St Bernard (1090-1153)
Father & Mellifluous Doctor of the Church

“We should strive to keep our hearts open
to the sufferings and wretchedness of others
and pray continually,
that God may grant us that spirit of compassion
which is truly the Spirit of God.”

St Vincent de Paul CM (1581-1660)

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, OUR Cross, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SUFFERING

Quote/s of the Day – 18 February – St Bernadette

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Quote/s of the Day – 18 February – St Bernadette Soubirous (1844-1879)
Virgin, The Visionary of Lourdes,

“ If one dream should fall
and break into a thousand pieces …
never be afraid to pick one of those pieces up
and begin again.
That is the beauty of being alive …
We can always start all over again.
Enjoy God’s amazing opportunities
bestowed on us.
Have faith in Him always!”

“ I shall spend every moment loving.
One who loves, does not notice her trials;
or perhaps, more accurately,
she is able to love them.
I shall do everything for Heaven, my true home.
There, I shall find my Mother,
in all the splendour of her glory.
I shall delight with her
in the joy of Jesus Himself,
in perfect safety.”

“O Jesus, I would rather die,
a thousand deaths,
than be unfaithful to Thee!”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/18/quote-s-of-the-day-18-february-st-bernadette/

St Bernadette Soubirous (1844-1879)

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 17 February – Septuagesima

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Quote/s of the Day – 17 February – Septuagesima

“Why stand you here idle, all the day?”

Matthew 20:6

“Prepare the way of the Lord
make His paths straight” …

Luke 3:4

“What is the surest kind of witness?
“Anyone who acknowledges that Jesus Christ
came among us in the flesh” (cf 1 Jn 4:2)
and who keeps the commands of the Gospel…
How many there are, each day,
of these hidden martyrs of Christ
who confess the Lord Jesus!
… So be faithful and courageous
in interior persecutions,
so that you may also win
the victory in exterior persecutions.”

St Ambrose (340-397)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“We are to become vessels
of God’s compassionate love for others.”

“Never forget that the way
which leads to Heaven is narrow
that the gate leading to Life,
is narrow and low
that there are but few who find it
and enter by it and if, there be some,
who go in and tread the narrow path,
for some time, there are but very few,
who persevere therein.”

St Clare (1194-1253)

“The surest and quickest way
to attain perfection, is to strive
for purity of heart.
Once the obstacles have been removed,
God finds a clear path and does wonders,
both in and through, the soul.”

Guide Me Lord
By St Albert the Great (1200-1280)
Doctor of the Church

O Lord Jesus Christ,
Who seeks those who stray
and receives them when returning,
make me approach Thee
through the frequent hearing of Thy Word,
lest I sin against my neighbour,
by the blindness of human judgement,
through the austerity of false justice,
through comparing his inferior status,
through too much trust in my merits
or through ignorance of the Divine Judgement.
Guide me to search diligently,
each corner of my conscience,
lest the flesh dominate the spirit!
Amen

St Albert the Great (1200-1280)
Universal Doctor of the Church

Posted in CONFESSORS, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, LENT- 2025, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE

Quote/s of the Day – 16 February – Septuagesima Sunday

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Quote/s of the Day – 16 February – Septuagesima Sunday

“So shall the last be first
and the first last.
For many are called
but few chosen.”

Matthew 20:16

“It is written, ‘God is not mocked.’ (Gal 6: 7)
Indeed, God cannot be mocked,
nor circumvented, nor deluded
by any man’s astute deceit. …
Let each of you, then, I beg you, brethren,
confess his fault while the sinner is yet in this world,
while Confession is still possible,
while the satisfaction and remission
granted by the Priests,
is still acceptable to God!”

St Cyprian of Carthage (c200-258)
Martyr, Bishop of Carthage,
Father of the Church

“Let us then, my brethren, endure in hope.
Let us devote ourselves, side-by-side with our hoping,
so that the God of all the universe,
as He beholds our intention,
may cleanse us from all sins,
fill us with high hopes from what we have in hand
and grant us the change of heart which saves.
God has called you and you have your calling!”

St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“There is still time for endurance,
time for patience,
time for healing,
time for change.
Have you slipped?
Rise up!
Have you sinned?
Cease!
Do not stand among sinners
but leap aside!”

St Basil the Great (329-379)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“Listen to the Lord’s appeal:
‘Come, then, return to Me
and learn to know Me as your Father,
Who repays good for evil,
love for injury
and boundless charity
for piercing wounds!”

St Peter Chrysologus (c400-450)
“Golden Words”
Father & Doctor of the Church

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on HOSPITALITY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 14 February – “I was a stranger,” Christ says …

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One Minute Reflection – 14 February – “The Month of the Blessed Trinity” – St Valentine (176-273) Bishop and Martyr – Wisdom 10:10-14; Matthew 10:34-42 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And whosoever shall give to drink, to one of these little ones, a cup of cold water only … amen, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.” – Matthew 10:42

REFLECTION – “I was a stranger,” Christ says “and you took Me in” (Mt 25:35). And again, “Insofar as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did it to Me.” (Mt 25:40). In every believer and brother, though they be least of all, Christ comes to you! Open your house, take them in. “Whoever receives a prophet, shall receive a prophet’s reward.” … These are the qualities which ought to be in those who welcome strangers – readiness, cheerfulness, liberality. For strangers feel abashed and ashamed and, unless their host shows real joy, they feel slighted and go away and their being received, in this way, makes it worse, than not to have received them at all.

Therefore, set aside a room in your house, to which Christ may come; say, “This is Christ’s room; this is set apart for Him.” Even if it is very simple, He will not disdain it. Christ goes about “naked and a stranger,” He needs shelter, do not hesitate to give it to Him. Do not be incompassionate, nor inhuman. You are earnest in worldly matters, do not be cold in spiritual matters … You have a place set apart for your chariot but none for Christ, Who is wandering by?!  Abraham received strangers in his own home (Gn 18); his wife took the place of a servant, the guests, the place of masters. They did not know that they were receiving Christ, that they were receiving Angels.  If Abraham had known it, he would have lavished his whole substance.  But we, who know we receive Christ, do not show as much zeal as he did, who thought he was receiving mere men! – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon 45 on the Acts of the Apostles),

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we who celebrate the anniversary of the death of Thy holy Martyr, Valentine, may, by his intercession, be delivered from all evils which threaten us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thine Son who livest and reignest with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, One God forever, amen (Collect).

Posted in CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEBRUARY - THE BLESSED TRINITY (Traditional), franciscan OFM, GOD the FATHER, I BELIEVE!, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on Love of Self, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PURITY, The HOLY GHOST, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY

Quote/s of the Day – 13 February – The Most Holy and Blessed Trinity

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Quote/s of the Day – 13 February – “The Month of the Blessed Trinity”

“I shall reflect the image of God
in that I feed on love;
grow certain on faith and hope;
strengthen myself, on the virtue of patience;
grow tranquil by humility;
grow beautiful by chastity;
am sober by abstention;
am made happy by tranquillity
and am ready for death,
by practising hospitality.”

ACW – Ancient Christian Writer
Incomplete Work on Matthew

(Homily 40)

“This is the order of our faith,
the foundation of the edifice
and the support of our conduct –
God, the Father, uncreated, uncontainable, invisible,
One God, the Creator of all –
this is the first article of our faith.
And the second article – the Word of God,
the Son of God, Christ Jesus our Lord,
Who was revealed by the Prophets
according to the character of their prophecy
and according to the nature
of the economies of the Father,
by Whom all things were made
and Who, in the last times, to recapitulate all things,
became a Man amongst men,
visible and palpable, in order to abolish death,
to demonstrate life and to effect communion
between God and man.
And the third article – the Holy Ghost,
through Whom the Prophets prophesied
and the Patriarchs learnt the things of God
and the righteous, were led in the path
of righteousness and Who, in the last times,
was poured out in a new fashion
upon the human race, renewing man,
throughout the world, to God.”

St Irenaeus (130-202)
Martyr, Father of the Church

“The likeness of Wisdom has been stamped
upon creatures, in order that the world
may recognise the Word, Who was its Maker
and, through the Word, come to know the Father. ”

St Athanasius (297-373)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“The whole Trinity
has marked mankind
with Its likeness.
With the memory, it resembles the Father;
with the understanding, it resembles the Son;
by love, it resembles the Holy Ghost … ”

St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)
Evangelical Doctor of the Church

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on Love of Self, St Francis de Sales

Quote/s of the Day – 10 February – That Oil, that Wedding Garment …

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Quote/s of the Day – 10 February –2 Corinthians 10:17-18; 11:1-2, Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“But the wise took oil
in their vessels”

Matthew 25:4

“The wise ones’ lamps were burning,
from the oil inside them,
from the assurance of their consciences,
from their inner boast,
from their deepest charity.”

“Love the Lord and so,
learn to love yourselves
that when, by loving the Lord,
you shall have loved yourselves,
you may securely love
your neighbour as yourselves. …
So then, have faith with love.
This is the “wedding garment!”

St Augustine (354-430)
Father & Doctor of Grace

“We should always love our neighbour,
as in the breast of Christ”

(The Spirit of St François de Sales II, 1)

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of the Church

“He loves you as though He had
no-one else to love but you alone.
You, too, should love Him alone
and all others for His Sake.
Of Him you may say and, indeed, you should say:
My Beloved to me and I to Him (Cant, 2:16).
My God has given Himself all to me
and I give myself all to Him;
He has chosen me for His beloved
and I choose Him, above all others,
for my only Love.”

“How to Pray at All Times”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE, St PAUL!, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 February – ‘ … Do you think it might be charity? …’

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One Minute Reflection – 10 February – “The Month of the Blessed Trinity” – St Scholastica (c482-547) Virgin Nun, St Benedict’s twin – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18, 11:1-2; Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“But the wise took oil in their vessels” – Matthew 25:4

REFLECTION – “It is some great thing, some exceedingly great thing, that this oil signifies. Do you think it might be charity? If we try out this hypothesis, we hazard no precipitate judgement. I will tell you why charity seems to be signified by the oil. The Apostle says, “I will show you a still more excellent way.” “If I speak with the tongue of mortals and of angels but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” This is charity. It is “that way above the rest,” which is, with good reason, signified by the oil. For oil swims above all liquids. Pour in water and pour in oil upon it, the oil will swim above. If you keep the usual order, it will be uppermost, if you change the order, it will be uppermost. “Charity never fails!” … St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor (Sermon 93).

PRAYER – O God, Who, to show us the way of innocence, caused the soul of Thy Virgin, blessed Scholastica, to fly up to heaven in the likeness of a dove, grant us, through her merits and prayers, to live innocently, so that we may be found worthy to reach everlasting joys. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, In the PRESENCE of GOD, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on MERIT, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on WATCHING, The HEART, The LAST THINGS, The RESURRECTION, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 8 February – ‘So make haste to please the Lord …’

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Quote/s of the Day – 8 February – Sirach 31:8-11; Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“ … Open the door to Him at once,
when He Comes and knocks.”
Luke 12:35

“So make haste to please the Lord,
wait for Him in your heart without ceasing,
seek Him in your thoughts,
stir up your will and your love,
to reach out towards Him
at every moment!
Then you will see how He Comes to you
and makes His home within you.”

St Macarius of Egypt (c300-390)
Monk, Father (Attrib)

“The fire of the Lord is Light Eternal;
the lamps of believers are lit at this fire:
“Gird your loins and light your lamps,”
(Lk 12:35).
It is because the days of our life
are still night that a lamp is necessary.
This is the fire which,
according to the testimony
of the disciples at Emmaus,
the Lord Himself set within them:
“Were not our hearts burning within us
while He spoke to us on the way
and opened the scriptures to us?” (Lk 24:32).
He gives us evident proof of this fire’s action,
enlightening man’s inmost heart.
That is why the Lord will Come in fire (Is 66,15)
so as to devour our faults at the resurrection,
fulfil each one’s desires with His Presence
and cast His Light over their merits and mysteries.”

St Ambrose (340-397)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“ Well done, good and faithful servant
because thou hast been faithful over a few things,
I will place thee over many things.
Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”
Matthew 25:23

“The parable of the talents is about all those
who, instead of providing assistance to their brethren
with their goods, their advice or, in some other way,
live only for themselves …
Jesus wants to show us, our Lord’s long patience
in this parable but, He also alludes, it seems to me,
to the final resurrection …
In the first place, the servants who give
an account of their dealings
unequivocally acknowledge that which
comes from their Master’s gift
and, that which is the fruit of their stewardship.
… Someone who, for the sake of the other,
has received the grace of word and teaching
but does not put it to use,
will have this grace taken away.
But someone, who uses wisely and zealously,
the grace received, will receive
an even more abundant grace!”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on the FAMILY, St PAUL!, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 5 February – Love above all …

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Quote/s of the Day – 5 February – 1 Corinthians 1 Cor. 1:26-31; Matthew 19:3-12– Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“… A man shall leave father and mother
and shall cleave to his wife
and they two shall be in one flesh.”
Matthew 19:5

“Say your prayers together.
Let each of you go to Church and, returning home,
let the husband ask an account from his wife
and the wife from her husband,
concerning whatever was said or read …
Learn the fear of God and all the rest will flow,
as from a spring and your house
will be filled with countless blessings.
Let us aspire to those good things
that are incorruptible and
the rest will not pass us by.
“Seek first the Kingdom of God
and all the rest will be added to you”
(Mt 6:33).”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“If any of you should wish
to act out of love, brothers,
do not imagine it to be a self-abasing,
passive and timid thing.
And do not think that love can be preserved
by gentleness – or rather, docile listlessness.
This is not how it is preserved.
Do not imagine that you love your servant,
when you refrain from beating him,
or that you love your son,
when you do not discipline him,
or that you love your neighbour,
when you do not rebuke him.
This is not love, it is feebleness!
Love should be fervent, to correct.”

St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace

“If I speak with the tongues
of men and of angels
and have not charity,
I am become as sounding brass,
or a tinkling cymbal.
And if I should have prophecy
and should know all mysteries
and all knowledge
and if I should have all faith,
so that I could remove mountains
but have not charity,
I am nothing!”

St Paul
1 Corinthians 13:1-2

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, QUOTES on WATCHING, The HEART, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 January – ‘ … So you, then, mind you carry it with you, carry it inside, where God can see … ‘ St Augustine

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One Minute Reflection – 30 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family” – Feast of St Martina (Died c228) Virgin and Martyr, Patron of Rome – Sirach 51:1-8.12 – Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.” – Matthew 25:7

REFLECTION – “There has come a shout at midnight. What can this shout be, if not what the Apostle speaks of – ‘in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.’ For the trumpet will sound and the dead will rise up, imperishable and as for us, we shall be changed (1 Cor 15:52). Once the shout has been raised at midnight, what happens next? They all arose. What is the meaning of “They all arose?” The hour is coming, says the Lord Himself, when all who are in the tombs will hear His Voice and come forth (Jn 5:28-29).

… What is the meaning of “They did not take oil in their flasks?” In their hearts … I mean, look at these foolish virgins who did not carry oil with them; by their self-denial which earns them the name of virgins and by their good works, represented by the lamps they bring, they are intent on pleasing other people. And, if they are intent on pleasing others and that is why they do these admirable things, they are not carrying oil with them. So you, then, mind you carry it with you, carry it inside, where God can see; carry the testimony of your conscience there. … So if you refrain from unlawful things and perform good works, in order to be admired by other people, there is no oil inside you! …

Before those virgins went to sleep, it does not say that their lamps were going out. The wise ones’ lamps were burning, from the oil inside them, from the assurance of their consciences, from their inner boast, from their deepest charity. But those of the foolish ones, were also burning. Why were they burning then? Because there was no dearth of admiration from other people. But after they had risen, that is to say, in the resurrection from the dead, they began to trim their lamps that is, to prepare to give God an account of their works. And because there is no-one then expressing admiration … they were asking for what they had always been used to, that is to say, to shine with someone else’s oil, to live in dependence on others’ admiration. Give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out!” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermon 93).

PRAYER – Almighty, eternal God, Thou Who choose the weak things of the world to confound the strong, mercifully grant that we, who are celebrating the feast of blessed Martina, Thy Virgin and Martyr, may reap the benefit ofher patronal intercession with Thee. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in QUOTES on CHARITY, St PAUL!

Quote/s of the Day – 26 January – St Polycarp

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Quote/s of the Day – 26 January – St Polycarp (69-155) Martyr, Bishop of Smyrna, Apostolic Father

The Epistle of St Polycarp

“St Paul, when absent from you,
wrote letters to you which,
if you study them closely,
will enable you to be built up in that faith
which has been given to you
‘which is the mother of us all’ (Gal. iv: 29),
in hope which follows and, in that love of God,
of Christ and of our neighbour
which leads the way.
If anyone is in these things, then,
he has fulfilled the law of justice;
for he who has charity
is far removed from all sin.”

St Polycarp (69-155)
Martyr, Bishop, Apostolic Father

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/01/26/quote-s-of-the-day-26-january-st-polycarp/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, JESUIT SJ, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on TRUTH, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 24 January – ‘ It is up to you to keep burning’

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Quote/s of the Day – 24 January – St Timothy (1st Century) Disciple of St Paul, Bishop and Martyr – 1 Timothy 6:11-16; Luke 14:26-33. – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“So likewise, everyone of you,
who does not renounce all
that he possesses,
cannot be My disciple.”

Luke 14:33

“Go into the whole world
and preach the Gospel to every creature.”

Mark 16:15

“I have lit the light of your torch
but it is up to you to see it is kept burning,
not just to your personal advantage
but also, in the interest of all who will see it
and who, through it, will be led to the Truth.
The worst wickedness would not put
a shadow over your light,
if you live with the vigilance of those
who are called to bring the whole world to good.
So, let your life correspond
to the holiness of your mission,
so that God’s grace may be proclaimed everywhere.”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“If you truly wish to help
the soul of your neighbour,
you should firstly approach God
with all your heart.
Ask Him simply,
to fill you with charity,
the greatest of all virtues.”

St Vincent Ferrer OP (1350-1419)

“Can we think, the life of man,
better employed than in this good work?
What do I say? Would not all the labours
of a thousand men, be well rewarded,
in the conversion of a single soul
gained to Jesus Christ?
I have always felt a great love
for this kind of life
and for a profession so excellent
and so akin to that of the Apostles.”

St Isaac Jogues (1607-1646)
Martyr

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on Love of Self, The HEART, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 14 January – “I am not come to destroy but to fulfil.” – Matthew 5:17

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One Minute Reflection – 14 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family” – St Hilary (315-368) Confessor, Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church – 2 Timothy 4:1-8; Matthew 5:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“I am not come to destroy but to fulfil.” – Matthew 5:17

REFLECTION – “Grace which was formerly veiled, so to speak, in the Old Testament, has been fully revealed in the Gospel of Christ by a harmonious disposition of the times, just as God usually disposes of everything with harmony … But within this wonderful harmony, we notice a great difference between the two ages. On Sinai, the people did not dare draw near the place where the Lord was giving His Law; in the Upper Room, the Holy Ghost comes down on all those assembled there, while waiting for the fulfilment of the promise (Ex 19:23; Acts 2:1). In the first instance, the Finger of God inscribed the laws on tablets of stone but now, it is in human hearts where He writes it (Ex 31:18; 2 Cor 3:3). Formerly the Law was written without and brought fear to sinners but now, it has been given to them within, to make them righteous …

Indeed, as the Apostle Paul says, everything written on the stone tablets, “you shall not commit adultery, you shall not kill. .. you shall not covet” and whatever other commandments there may be, are summed up in this saying: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself. Love does no evil to the neighbour; hence, love is the fulfilment of the Law” (Rm 13:9f.; Lv 19:18) … This charity has been “poured into our hearts through the Holy Ghost Who is given to us” (Rm 5:5).” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (On the spirit and the letter, 28-30).

PRAYER – O God, Who gave to Thy people blessed Hilary, as a minister of salvation, grant we beseech Thee that we, who cherished him on earth as a teacher of life, may be found worthy to have him as an intercessor in Heaven. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on VIRTUE, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The HOLY INFANCY

Thought for the Day – 11 January – “Their Gifts (1) Gold”

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Thought for the Day – 11 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Christmastide
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Their Gifts (1) Gold”

+1. Why did the Magi offer gold to the Babe in Mary’s arms? It was in recognition of Him as their King. It was the tribute by which they declared themselves His vassals professed their loyal submission to His sway. This is the very foundation of all supernatural virtue, not only to acknowledge Christ as our King but, to pay Him the homage which is His due as the Sovereign Lord of Heaven and earth.

+2. The Magi too, by their offering of gold, gave to Him, the most precious gift they had to give.
They were the first Christian almsgivers and their almsgiving was a pattern to all who should follow them. They gave liberally; they gave royally; they gave gifts which cost them something.
Is this the character of my almsgiving, or do I give sparingly and grudgingly?
I must not forget that Christ sees and remembers, not only the amount of the gifts I give to Him but too, the spirit in which they are given.

+3. The gold of the Magi also signifies the virtue of charity, without which we can do nothing to please God. Charity is the gold, fire tried, which He counsels the tepid to buy of Him. It is the virtue which is the standard, by which the value of all other virtues is tested. It is the virtue which caused Jesus Christ to Come and dwell upon earth. Oh, that I had more self-denying charity to others, more of the gold wherewith Heaven is bought!

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CATHOLIC Quotes, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on POVERTY, QUOTES on the POOR, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 20 December – This is My commandment … and this is that wedding garment

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Quote/s of the Day – 20 December – The Vigil of St Thomas, Apostle – Ember Friday, Third Week of Advent – Sirach 44:25-27, 45:2-4, 45:6-9; John 15:12-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“This is My commandment
that you love one another,
as I have loved you. ”

John 15:12

“Love the Lord and so,
learn to love yourselves
that when, by loving the Lord,
you shall have loved yourselves,
you may securely love
your neighbour as yourselves. …
So then, have faith with love.
This is the “wedding garment!”

St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace

“Truly blessed is he who cleaves,
with his thought, to the Prayer of Jesus,
constantly calling to Him in his heart,
just as air cleaves to our bodies,
or the flame to the candle.”

St Hesychius of Jerusalem (Died c450)
Priest, Exegete, Father

“We should always love our neighbour,
as in the breast of Christ”

(The Spirit of St François de Sales II, 1)

“We must help one another,
as much as we can
and leave the rest to God.”

(Letters to Persons in Religion,I, 8)

“Love the poor and poverty,
for it is by this love
that you shall become truly poor.”

(Introduction to the Devout Life
Part III Chapter 15)

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of the Church

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 20 December – ‘ … Such is the nature of charity. …’

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One Minute Reflection – 20 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Vigil of St Thomas, Apostle – Ember Friday, Third Week of Advent – Sirach 44:25-27, 45:2-4, 45:6-9; John 15:12-16 – Scripture search here:

“This is My commandment that you love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love than this no man hath that a man lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:12-13

REFLECTION – “The more we are united to our neighbour, the more we are united to God. So that you may understand the meaning of this saying, I am going to give you an picture, taken from the Fathers – imagine a circle drawn on the ground that is to say, a line drawn into a round shape, with a compass, having a centre. We refer to the middle of the circle as being the exact centre. Now, give your attention to what I am saying. Imagine that this circle is the world, its centre is God and each radius represents different ways or kinds of lifestyle. When the Saints, desiring to draw near to God, move towards the middle of the circle, then to the degree to which they penetrate further into its interior, they draw closer to each other, even as they draw closer to God. The closer they draw to God, the closer they draw to each other and the closer they draw to each other, the closer they draw to God.

From this you will understand that the same thing applies conversely, when we turn away from God to withdraw outside the circle – then it becomes obvious that, the more we withdraw from God, the more we withdraw from each other and, the more we withdraw from each other, the more we also withdraw from God.

Such is the nature of charity. To the extent that we stand outside and do not love God, to the same extent, each one of us stands apart, with regard to their neighbour. But, if we love God, then, insofar as we come closer to God, through our love for Him, we also participate in love of neighbour to the same extent. And insofar as we are united to our neighbour, we are equally so to God.” – St Dorotheus of Gaza (c505-c565) Abbot, Father of the Church (Instructions VI, 76-78).

PRAYER – Put forth Thy power, O Lord, we beseech Thee and delay not and with Thy great might, come to our aid, so that what is hindered by our sins, maybe hastened by Thy merciful goodness. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen (Collect)

Posted in CATECHESIS, CATHOLIC Quotes, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD the FATHER, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CHILDREN, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on MEEKNESS, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on SIMPLICITY, QUOTES on VIRTUE, St Francis de Sales, The DIVINE INFANT, The INCARNATION

Quote/s of the Day – 19 December – This Divine Infant

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Quote/s of the Day – 19 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

“If we would please this Divine Infant,
we too must become children,
simple and humble.
We must carry to Him, flowers of virtue,
of meekness, of mortification, of charity.
We must clasp Him in the arms of our love.”

St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

“Our Lord is begotten virginally, from all eternity,
in the bosom of His Heavenly Father.
He shares in the One Divinity of His Eternal Father,
without dividing it or fracturing the Divine Simplicity.
He remains One same God with Him.
The most holy Virgin produced her Son,
Our Lord on earth, as He is produced
by His Father eternally in Heaven that is, virginally.
There is one important difference, however,
she brought Him forth from her womb
and not in her womb,
for once He left it He will no more return there
but His Heavenly Father begets Him
from His bosom and in His bosom
and He will remain there eternally!”

(The Coming of the Divine Infant
24 December 1613
Sermon for Christmas Eve)

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of the Church

Posted in CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, St Francis de Sales, The HOLY GHOST

Quote/s of the Day – 9 December – Christ Who is “All in All”

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Quote/s of the Day – 9 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Resumed Mass of Sunday – Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 11:2-10 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Now, the God of hope,
fill you with all joy and peace
in believing – that you may abound in hope
and in the power of the Holy Ghost.”

Romans 15:13

“And as soon as He sees you seek Him fervently,
He will make Himself known to you.
He will appear to you, grant you His help,
bestow the victory on you
and save you from your enemies.
In fact, when He sees how you are looking for Him,
how you continually place all your hope in Him,
then He will instruct you,
teach you true prayer,
give you that authentic charity that is Himself.
Then, He will become everything to you:
your Paradise, Life-giving Tree,
Precious Pearl, Crown, Architect, Farmer,
One subject to suffering
but not afflicted with suffering,
Man, God, Wine, Living Water,
Lamb, Bridegroom, Soldier, Armour,
Christ Who is “All in All” (1Cor 1B,28).

St Macarius of Egypt (c300-390)

“God accepts our desires as though
they were of great value.
He longs ardently for us
to desire to and love Him.
He accepts our petitions for benefits,
as though we were doing Him a favour.
His joy in giving,
is greater than ours in receiving.
So let us not be apathetic in our asking,
nor set too narrow bounds to our requests;
nor ask for frivolous things
unworthy of God’s greatness.”

St Gregory Nazianzen (330-390)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“Great indeed is the confidence
which God requires us to have
in His paternal care and in His Divine Providence
but why should we not have it,
seeing that no-one has ever been deceived in it?
No-one ever trusts in God
without reaping the fruits of his confidence.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of the Church

(Spiritual Conferences 6)

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on Love of Self, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, The HEART, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 4 December– “I am not come to destroy but to fulfil.” – Matthew 5:17

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One Minute Reflection – 4 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – St Peter Chrysologus (c400-450) “Golden Words” Confessor, Father & Doctor of the Church – 2 Timothy 4:1-8; Matthew 5:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“I am not come to destroy but to fulfil.” – Matthew 5:17

REFLECTION – “Grace which was formerly veiled, so to speak, in the Old Testament, has been fully revealed in the Gospel of Christ by a harmonious disposition of the times, just as God usually disposes of everything with harmony … But within this wonderful harmony, we notice a great difference between the two ages. On Sinai, the people did not dare draw near the place where the Lord was giving His Law; in the Upper Room, the Holy Ghost comes down on all those assembled there, while waiting for the fulfilment of the promise (Ex 19:23; Acts 2:1). In the first instance, the Finger of God inscribed the laws on tablets of stone but now, it is in human hearts where He writes it (Ex 31:18; 2 Cor 3:3). Formerly the Law was written without and brought fear to sinners but now, it has been given to them within, to make them righteous …

Indeed, as the Apostle Paul says, everything written on the stone tablets, “you shall not commit adultery, you shall not kill. .., you shall not covet” and whatever other commandments there may be, are summed up in this saying: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself. Love does no evil to the neighbour; hence, love is the fulfilment of the Law” (Rm 13:9f.; Lv 19:18) … This charity has been “poured into our hearts through the Holy Ghost Who is given to us” (Rm 5:5).” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (On the spirit and the letter, 28-30).

PRAYER – O God, Who willed to foreshow divinely that blessed Peter Chrysologus would be a great Doctor to rule and teach Thy Church, grant, we beseech Thee that we may be worthy to have him as our intercessor in Heaven, who on earth was a teacher of life. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, In the PRESENCE of GOD, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CREATION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on NATURE - GOD'S CREATION, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD

Thought for the Day – 29 November – How to Remain Aware of the Presence of God

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Thought for the Day – 29 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

How to Remain Aware of the Presence of God

“Another way of increasing our sense of the Presence of God, is to perceive Him in all His creatures.
St Therese of the Child Jesus loved to contemplate the image of her Creator in the flowers of the fields and in the stars of the firmament.

God has created all things for our benefit and He is Present in all things.
He sees what use we make of them and can judge whether we employ them to honour Him, Who is our beginning and our end.
The ray of Divine Beauty,which shines in every created thing, should attract us towards its Creator and cause us to adore and serve Him.
Whenever we meet a learned and holy person, moreover, the reflection of God’s Power and Goodness, is even more compelling.
“Learn to love the Creator in the creature,” says St Augustine, “lest the thing which He has made should grip you and you shuld lose Him by Whom you also were created” (In Ps 19),

In other words, let us learn to see the Creator in all His creatures so that these may not enslave us but cause us to love Him, Who is our highest Good.”

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/11/28/thought-for-the-day-28-november-how-to-remain-aware-of-the-presence-of-god/

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHARITABLE SOCIETIES, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 16 November – “But the wise took oil in their vessels” – Matthew 25:4

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One Minute Reflection – 16 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” – St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302) Virgin – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18; 11:1-2: Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“But the wise took oil in their vessels” – Matthew 25:4

REFLECTION – “It is some great thing, some exceedingly great thing, that this oil signifies. Do you think it might be charity? If we try out this hypothesis, we hazard no precipitate judgement. I will tell you why charity seems to be signified by the oil. The Apostle says, “I will show you a still more excellent way.” “If I speak with the tongue of mortals and of angels but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” This is charity. It is “that way above the rest,” which is, with good reason, signified by the oil. For oil swims above all liquids. Pour in water and pour in oil upon it, the oil will swim above. If you keep the usual order, it will be uppermost, if you change the order, it will be uppermost. “Charity never fails!” … St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor (Sermon 93).

PRAYER – O God, Who prepared a pleasing dwelling place for Thyself in the heart of blessed Gertrude the Virgin, by her merits and intercession, mercifully wipe away all sinful stain from our heart and grant that we may enjoy her companionship. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOMINICAN OP, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUTH, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The HOLY CROSS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 9 November – ‘ … We must do this too, when we are feeling low … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 9 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” – Dedication of The Archbasilica of the Most Holy Saviour – Apocalypse 21:2-5, Luke 19:1-10 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“ … He climbed up into a sycamore tree that he might see Him …” – Luke 19:2

REFLECTION – “I’m writing with the desire to see you, a bold and good shepherd, pasturing and guiding the sheep entrusted to you with perfect zeal and thus, imitating the sweet Master of Truth, Who gave His life for us who are His sheep, who have strayed away from the path of grace. True…, we cannot do this without God and we cannot possess God while remaining on earth. But here is a sweet remedy – when our hearts are reduced to nothing and feeling small, we must do as Zacchaeus did. He was not tall and he climbed a tree to see God. This zeal of his, allowed him to hear these sweet words: “Zacchaeus, go home, for I must dine with you today.”

We must do this too, when we are feeling low, when our hearts are constricted and lacking in charity. We must climb the tree of the most holy Cross and there, we shall see, we shall touch God. There we shall find the fire of His inexpressible charity, the love that propelled Him, even to the humiliation of the Cross that raised Him up and made Him desire His Father’s honour and our salvation, with the craving of hunger and thirst… If this is what we want, if our carelessness does not get in the way, we can, in mounting the tree of the Cross, fulfill in ourselves, this word issuing from the mouth of Truth: “When I am lifted up from the earth, I shall draw all things to Myself” (Jn 12,32 Vg). Indeed, when the soul is thus raised up, it sees the blessings of the Father’s goodness and power…, it sees the mercy and lavishness of the Holy Ghost, that is to say, the inexpressible love holding Jesus bound to the wood of the Cross. Nails and bonds cannot hold Him there, only charity… O climb this most holy tree where hang, the ripe fruits of all the virtues which the Body of the Son of God bears, ardently hasten. Dwell within the holy and sweet love of God. O sweet Jesus, Jesus love.” – St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)  (Letter 119, to the prior of the Olivetan Monks).

PRAYER – O God, Who for us bring each year the recurrence of the Consecration day of this Thy holy temple and always bring us back safely to the Sacred Rites, hear the prayers of Thy people and grant that, whoever enters this temple to pray for blessings., may rejoice in having obtained whatever he sought. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in GOD ALONE!, HOW to PRAY at ALL TIMES, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Thought for the Day – 7 November – GOD WISHES US TO SPEAK TO HIM WITH CONFIDENCE AND FAMILIARITY

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Thought for the Day – 7 November – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“How to Pray at All Times”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

GOD WISHES US TO SPEAK TO HIM
WITH CONFIDENCE AND FAMILIARITY
Excerpt from Chapter One

“Bear well in mind, you have neither friend, nor brother, nor father, nor mother, nor spouse, nor lover, who loves you more than God.
Divine grace is that great treasure whereby we, vile creatures and poor servants, become the dear friends of our Creator Himself : For it is an Infinite Treasure to men, for they who use it, become the friends of God (Wis 7:14).
In order to fill our hearts with confidence, He emptied Himself, as St Paul says (Phil 2:7), abasing Himself to our level and conversing familiarly with us. … He went as far as to become an Infant, to become poor, to die publicly on a cross; He went as far as to hide Himself under the appearance of bread, in order to become our constant Companion and to unite Himself intimately to us: He who eateth My Flesh and drinketh My Blood, abideth in Me and I in him (John 6:57).

In a word, He loves you as though He had no-one else to love but you alone.
You, too, should love Him alone and all others for His Sake.
Of Him you may say and, indeed, you should say: My Beloved to me and I to Him (Cant, 2:16). My God has given Himself all to me and I give myself all to Him; He has chosen me for His beloved and I choose Him, above all others, for my only Love.

Say, then, to Him, often:

O my Lord! wherefore dost Thou love me thus? What good thing dost Thou see in me? Hast Thou forgotten the injuries I have done Thee? But since Thou hast treated me so lovingly and, instead of casting me into hell, hast granted me so many favours, Whom can I desire to love from this day forward but Thee, my God, my all? … Thou art the God of my heart and the God Who is my portion forever (Ps. 72:25). Thou alone art and shalt be forever, the only Lord of my heart, of my will; Thou my only good, my heaven, my hope, my love, my all: ‘The God of my heart and the God Who is my portion forever.’”

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, ON the SAINTS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on MERIT, The COMMUNION of SAINTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 1 November – ‘ … The Communion of Saints will make up for my insufficiency and imperfection. … ‘

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 1 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” – All Saints Day – Apocalypse 7:2-12; Matthew 5:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Be glad and rejoice for your reward is very great in Heaven.” – Matthew 5:12

REFLECTION – “Dearly beloved, let us anxiously attend to all that concerns the profession of our common life, “keeping the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace,” by “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the imparting of the Holy Ghost ”(Eph 4:3; 2 Cor 13:13). From the love of God comes the unity of the spirit; from the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ comes the bond of peace; from the imparting of the Holy Ghost, comes that communion which is necessary to those who live in common. …

“I believe, 0 Lord, in the Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints” (Credo). This is my hope, this is my trust, this is my confidence, this is the whole of my security in the professing of my faith. … If I am allowed, O Lord, to “love Thee and love my neighbour,” (Mt 22:37-39) although my merits are small and few, yet will my hopes reach beyond them. I am confident that the merits of the Saints will help me by the communion of charity, so that the Communion of Saints will make up for my insufficiency and imperfection. … Let charity expand our hope, as far as the Communion of Saints, in the sharing of merits and rewards but the sharing of the latter belongs to the future, for it is the sharing in the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Since, then, there are three communions – the first of nature, which includes the sharing of guilt … the second of grace and the third, of glory. By the communion of grace, that of nature begins to be remade and the sharing of guilt to be excluded but by the communion of glory, that of nature will be perfectly restored and the communion of anger, will be entirely excluded, when “God will wipe away every tear from the eyes” of the Saints (Is 25:8; Rv 21:4). Then, among all the Saints, there will be “one heart and one soul” and “all things will be in common”when God will be “All in all” (Acts 4:2; 1 Cor 15:28). That we may all arrive at this communion and that we all may be one, “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God,and the imparting of the Holy Ghost be with us all forever. Amen.” – Baldwin of Forde O.Cist ( c 1125–1190) Cistercian Abbot, Bishop, then Archbishop of Canterbury (Treatise on the common life).

PRAYER – Almighty, eternal God, Who granted us to honour the merits of all Thy Saints in a single solemn festival, bestow on us, we beseech Thee, through their manifold intercession, that abundance of Thymercy for which we yearn. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 17 October – “For My yoke is sweet and My burden light.” – Matthew 11:30

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One Minute Reflection – 17 Octoberber – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690) Virgin – Ephesians 3:8-9, 14-19, Matthew 11:25-30 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“For My yoke is sweet and My burden light.” – Matthew 11:30

REFLECTION – “People who complain about the roughness of the Lord’s yoke have possibly not completely rejected, the heavy load of the lusts of the world, or, if they did reject them, they have enslaved themselves to them again, to their greater shame! Outwardly, they carry the yoke of the Lord but inwardly, they submit their shoulders to the burden of the world’s cares. They set on the balance of the Lord’s yoke, the hardships and difficulties which they inflict on themselves… As for the yoke of the Lord – it is “sweet and its burden light”.

Indeed, what is sweeter, what more glorious, than to see oneself lifted up above the world by the scorn one shows it and, seated at the summit of a conscience at peace, to have the whole world at one’s feet? Then, one sees nothing to desire, nothing to fear, nothing to envy, nothing of one’s own which might be taken away, no evil which might be caused one, by another. The eyes of the heart turn towards “an inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled and unfading which is kept for us in Heaven” (1 Pt 1:4). With a sort of greatness of soul, one gives little importance to this world’s goods – they pass away; to the pleasures of the flesh – they are contaminated; to the world’s pomp – it fades and, in one’s joy, one repeats the words of the Prophet: “All mankind is grass and all its glory like the flower of the field; the grass withers, the flower fades but the Word of the Lord remains forever” (Is 40:6-8)… In charity – and nowhere but in charity – dwells true tranquillity and true sweetness, for, it is the yoke of the Lord!” – St Aelred of Rievaulx (1110-1167) Cistercian Monk (The Mirror of charity I:30-31).

PRAYER – O Lord Jesus Christ, Who wondrously revealed the unsearchable riches of Thy Heart to blessed Margaret Mary, the Virgin, grant us, by her merits and through imitating her, to love Thee, in all things and above all things, so that we may be found worthy to possess a lasting dwelling place in Thou Heart itself. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The INCARNATION, The WORD, THEOLOGICAL

Quote/s of the Day – 23 September – Thou art the Christ, Whom we love above all things …

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Quote/s of the Day – 23 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – 1 Peter 5:1-4; 5:10-11; Matthew 16:13-19– Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Thou art the Christ,
the Son of the living God!”

Matthew 16:16

“Truly blessed is he who cleaves,
with his thought, to the Prayer of Jesus,
constantly calling to Him in his heart,
just as air cleaves to our bodies,
or the flame to the candle.”

St Hesychius of Jerusalem (Died c450)
Priest, Exegete, Father

“Taking up the newborn Emmanuel,
Mary beheld a Light incomparably fairer
than the sun and saw a Fire,
which water cannot quench.
She received, in the covering of Flesh
Whom she had borne,
the Light, Who enlightens all things
and she was worthy,,
to carry in her arms,
the Word, Who carries the universe!”

St Amadeus of Lausanne (1108-1159)
Bishop, Cistercian Monk

“Charity is an infused virtue,
by which we love God for His Own Sake
and above all things and our neighbour as ourselves,
for the love of God.
It is the best gift which God Himself can give,
the gift compared to which,
all other gifts are insignificant and worthless.
It is the end and aim, the perfection
and the crown of the Christian life.
If we possess it, we have all things;
if we possess it not, we have nothing;
we are miserable and wretched and poor
and blind and naked before God.
Pray that God may teach you to know
and to love His Divine gift.”

Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

(The Definition of Charity
What is Charity?)

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, JESUIT SJ, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on Love of Self, St PAUL!, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 18 September – Wear the correct garment!

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Quote/s of the Day – 18 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Joseph of Cupertino OFM Conv (1603-1663) Confessor – 1 Corinthians 13:1-8; Matthew 22:1-14 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Friend, how did you come in here
without a wedding garment?”

Matthew 22:12

“If I speak with the tongues
of men and of angels
and have not charity,
I am become as sounding brass,
or a tinkling cymbal.
And if I should have prophecy
and should know all mysteries
and all knowledge
and if I should have all faith,
so that I could remove mountains
but have not charity,
I am nothing!”

St Paul
1 Corinthians 13:1-2

“Love the Lord and so,
learn to love yourselves
that when, by loving the Lord,
you shall have loved yourselves,
you may securely love
your neighbour as yourselves. …
So then, have faith with love.
This is the “wedding garment!”

St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace

“Love God, serve God.
Everything is in that!”

St Clare of Assisi (1191-1253)

“It is an old custom
with the servants of God,
always to have some little prayers ready
and to be darting them up to Heaven
frequently during the day,
lifting their minds to God
out of the filth of this world.
He who adopts this plan,
will get great fruit, with little pains.”

St Philip Neri (1515-1595)

“He who most loves,
will be most loved.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of the Church

“What is it to serve God
and to go to Heaven?
Nothing else but to love!”

St Aloysius Gonzaga (1568-1591)